The original Rice University Faculty Council was formed as an expansion
of the Executive Committee in l959. The members of this group consisted of the
President (chairman), the Provost, the Dean of the Institute, the Dean of
Humanities, the Dean of Engineering, and six members elected by the Faculty. A
re-organization took place again, in 1971, in conjunction with the formation of
a University Council. At this point changes were made in the Faculty Council's
membership and its mission. Membership now consisted of eight Faculty members
elected to serve on the University Council along with eight other Faculty
members elected to serve only on the Faculty Council. Their mission was
re-defined to initiate studies and examine proposals submitted by faculty
members. Most other University matters were to be dealt with by the University
Committees and the University Council. In fact, this change shifted greater
responsibility to the newly formed University Council and gave the Faculty
Council the mission of the now defunct Committee on University Welfare.

The contents of this record group include minutes, election information,
and correspondence of the Rice University Faculty Council, and were drawn from
several sources including Secretary of the Faculty (Robert L. Patten),
President Pitzer's Papers, Vandiver and Hackerman Papers. Box 1 includes all of
the records under the original format of the Faculty Council and Boxes 3 and 4
under the newer format. The organization of these files is chronological and
the contents are primarily the minutes of meetings and agendas, with some
correspondence and election information. The record groups most closely related
to this one are Faculty Meeting Minutes, University Council, and Committee on
University Welfare. Fromats include photocopies and mimeographed sheets.

Access Restrictions

Permission of the current Secretary of the Faculty required to view
files or make copies. Permission in writing or by email from the Secretary of
the Faculty must be sent to the Woodson Research Center. Call the Woodson
Research Center for more information.

Use Restrictions

Permission to publish from the Rice University Faculty Council records
must be obtained from the Woodson Research Center, Fondren Library, Rice
University.